1. BIOCHEMISTRY
ALL LIVING THINGS ARE COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING BASIC ELEMENTS
CARBON
OXYGEN
PHOSPHOROUS
HYDROGEN
NITROGEN
SULFUR
“CHNOPS”, Essential Elements
A MOLECULE CONTAINING CARBON IS
CALLED AN ORGANIC MOLECULE
* H2O and CO2 are inorganic molecules

2. Organic Molecules Inorganic Molecules
CO2
water
lipid
protein
most important inorganic compound in living things
nucleic acid
most cellular processes take place in water solutions
ORGANIC MOLECULES
lipid, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, protein
INORGANIC MOLECULES
CO2
water:
most important inorganic compound in living things
most cellular processes take place in water solution
excellent solvent (substances dissolve in water)
carbohydrate
excellent solvent (substances dissolve in water)

3. The Nature of Matter
ATOM is the basic unit of matter “unable to be cut”
Subatomic particles are the neutrons (no charge), electrons (- charge), protons (+ charge).
Compound- chemical combination of two or more elements
Element- pure substance made of one type of atom (periodic table)

4. WATER
Characteristics: ¾ of the earth is water, water expands as it freezes, ice is less dense that liquid H2O (floats),
Polarity: A water molecule is polar because there is an uneven distribution of electrons between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms so…… it acts like a magnet
Hydrogen bonds: attraction between the H atom and the O atom; weak bonds
Cohesion: attraction between molecules of the same substance (forms beads on surfaces, insects on H20 surfaces)
Adhesion: attraction between molecules of different substances (capillary action, meniscus)

5. THERE ARE 4 BASIC CARBON COMPOUNDS IN ALL LIVING THINGS: (BIOCHEMICAL MOLECULES)
1. CARBOHYDRATES
2. LIPIDS
3. PROTEINS
4. NUCLEIC ACIDS

6. CARBOHYDRATES SUGARS: MONOSACCHARIDES (SINGLE SUGARS)
INCLUDES SUGARS, STARCHES, AND CELLULOSE
PROVIDES short term ENERGY FOR ORGANISMS
4 calories/gram
SUGARS: MONOSACCHARIDES (SINGLE SUGARS)
DISACCHARIDES (DOUBLE SUGARS)
MAY BE LINKED TOGETHER TO FORM
POLYSACCHARIDES (MANY SUGARS)
PLANTS STORE ENERGY IN POLYSACCHARIDE - STARCH
ANIMALS STORE ENERGY IN POLYSACCHARIDE-GLYCOGEN

7. CELLULOSE – A polysaccharide in the cell walls of plants
PLANTS – JOIN SIMPLE SUGARS TOGETHER TO
MAKE - CELLULOSE
CELLULOSE – A polysaccharide in the cell walls of plants
Cellulose we eat comes from vegetables, fruits, whole grain
breads and cereals
Your body CANNOT break down, no nutritional value (fiber)

8. LIPIDS FATS - ACT AS INSULATORS WAXES - HELP PLANTS CONSERVE WATER
INCLUDES FATS, OILS, WAXES, PHOSPHOLIPIDS,
AND STERIODS.
Energy= 9 calories/gram
FATS - ACT AS INSULATORS
WAXES - HELP PLANTS CONSERVE WATER
OILS - MAKE SOME BIRDS FEATHERS WATERPROOF
PHOSPHOLIPIDS – MAIN COMPONENT OF CELL
MEMBRANE
STEROIDS– HORMONES THAT AFFECT CELL
ACTIVITY
*Non-polar molecules that are not soluble in water

9. LIPIDS A concentrated source of energy
Store other nutrients, such as Vitamin A
Protect vital organs
Help keep our skin from drying out
Insulate the body against changes in
environmental temperature
*The body uses lipids to make cell membranes, hormones and the oils in your skin and hair

10. Note the molecular structure’s “E” shape
Lipids
Note the molecular structure’s “E” shape
made up of
glycerol
and
3 fatty acids C H O C H O C H O
LIPIDS
made up of
glycerol (boxes the glycerol portion of the molecule)
and fatty acids (boxes the fatty acids portions of the molecule)
Note the molecular structure’s “E” shape (highlights the “E” shape)

11. LIPIDS
Saturated fats: have no double bonds between the carbons and contain max number of hydrogen atoms
-usually solid at room temperature, most come from animal products
Unsaturated fats: fats with double bonds
-most are liquid at room temperature, come from plants (usually referred to as oils)
*Monounsaturated – one double bond
*Polyunsaturated – many double bonds

12. PROTEINS COMPOSED OF SMALLER MOLECULES CALLED AMINO ACIDS
CONTAIN NITROGEN, CARBON,
HYDROGEN & OXYGEN
MAKE UP MORE THAN HALF THE DRY
WEIGHT OF ORGANISMS

13. PROTEINS Provide body with materials needed for growth and repair
Builds muscles, skin and blood
Complete: contain all 8 essential a.a. (food that comes from animals)
Incomplete: lack some of the essential a.a. (food that comes from plants)

14. PROTEINS Include: enzymes that promote chemical reactions
structural functions such as collagen in skin, ligaments, tendons, and bones
proteins found in muscles and hair
antibodies – fight infection by killing bacteria
Hemoglobin - carries oxygen in blood

15. NUCLEIC ACIDS LARGE COMPLEX MOLECULES CONTAINING HEREDITY MATERIAL
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID -D N A
2. RIBONUCLEIC ACID- R N A
D N A CARRIES INSTRUCTIONS THAT
REGULATE CELL ACTIVITIES
R N A –uses information from DNA to tell the ribosomes what proteins to make.

16. NucleicAcids
Made up of nucleotides containing a sugar, a phosphate, and a Nitrogen base
Includes:
*Adenine
*Thymine
*Guanine
*Cytosine
sugar
phosphate
nitrogen base

17. Monomers (subunits) Carbohydrates- Monosaccharides (sugars)
Proteins- Amino Acids
Lipids- Glycerol and fatty acids
Nucleic acids- Nucleotides